King Princess

Mikaela Mullaney Straus, known professionally as King Princess, is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor recognized for her genre-blending approach to contemporary pop music. Straus was offered a record label contract at age 11 but declined, choosing to wait until she had a defined sound and creative vision. After high school, Straus moved to Los Angeles to study at the USC Thornton School of Music before leaving to pursue a full-time music career.

King Princess released the debut single, "1950," a tribute to the romance novel "The Price of Salt" by Patricia Highsmith and a celebration of queer love. The song gained widespread attention after Harry Styles tweeted a lyric from it, achieved commercial success in multiple territories, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Both "1950" and the follow-up single "Talia" appeared on the debut EP "Make My Bed," which topped the New Zealand Heatseekers chart. Straus signed with Mark Ronson's label Zelig Records, an imprint of Columbia Records, and released the debut studio album "Cheap Queen." Straus produced much of the album, including programming many of the instruments. The album received an 81/100 on Metacritic and was noted for its emotional honesty, eclectic instrumentation, and raw, soulful vocals.

King Princess has performed as a musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," at Lollapalooza and Coachella, and on The Park stage at Glastonbury Festival, where Mark Ronson joined for a performance of their collaboration "Pieces of Us." Straus has also joined Kacey Musgraves on the "Star-Crossed: Unveiled" tour, and opened for Shawn Mendes' "Wonder: The World Tour" and the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Global Stadium Tour. The second album, "Hold On Baby," features a mix of indie-pop, rock, and soulful ballads, with production from Mark Ronson, Aaron Dessner, and Tobias Jesso Jr., and includes singles such as "Little Bother" (with Fousheé) and "Change the Locks."

Following a period marked by the end of a long-term relationship and creative differences with her label, Straus left Zelig Records, departed Los Angeles, and returned to New York. There, she recorded the third album, "Girl Violence," at her father's Mission Sound Studio in Brooklyn with co-producers Jacob Portrait and Aire Atlantica. Released on the independent Section1 label, the record explores themes of personal growth and female relationships while highlighting a rock-influenced sound. Straus debuted "Girl Violence" at the ACL Festival before embarking on a headline tour through clubs and theaters across the United States and Europe.

In addition to music, King Princess has expanded into acting. Straus made an acting debut in the second season of the Hulu series "Nine Perfect Strangers," playing the main role of Tina, a stifled artist attending a wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Straus also appeared in the biographical musical drama film "Song Sung Blue," starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, and is scheduled to make a theatrical debut in a musical adaptation of "Girl, Interrupted" at The Public Theater. With a platinum-certified debut, three studio albums, and a growing acting career, Straus is recognized for authenticity and storytelling in both the music and entertainment industries.